Ready to rock? These O.C. girls are, with confidence

Bird LaBounty, 7, bangs her drums during the opening session of Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, a camp in Fountain Valley for girls, which teaches them how to play rock and roll music.MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

As a way of raising money for the girls' rock camp (and giving grown-ups the chance to have some fun, too)Ladies Rock Camp Orange Countywill have its second gathering this fall. It's a weekend "boot camp" for women ages 18 and older to learn an instrument, form a band, write a song and perform in a showcase. No musical experience is necessary.

5 ways to boost teenage girls' confidence

1. Encourage her creativity: Always take a minute to listen, encourage and put your own input on her ideas.

2. Let her know that there is someone in the world who relates to what she thinks and feels: Even though girls sometimes feel misunderstood, it is always comforting to know there is someone out there who feels the same way, and wants to listen to what they have to say.

3. Assure her that she can be whoever she wants to be in her life: Let her know that anything is possible with lots of effort and a good attitude.

4. Fill her mind with positive examples and acceptance: Always show the best in you and she will too. Encourage her to accept, understand and be loving to everyone she knows.

5. Rock! And be her rock: Always support her views of the world and celebrate with her as much as you can.

Down the hall, six young female keyboardists experiment with chords. The bassists in the room next door fidget with the thick strings of instruments much bigger than they are.

It may be a summer camp, but these girls aren't singing "Kumbaya" beside a fire.

"Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls is all about creating the model society we want to exist for girls everywhere," said Candace Hansen, founder of the Orange County nonprofit, which has designed the weeklong camp to teach girls ages 7 to 17 the basics of rock music and feminist ideals.

"This is a place where women of all different shapes, sizes, colors, types are taking artistic risks in a safe space," the Huntington Beach resident said.

Hansen, a drummer, kicked off the camp Monday with a series of get-to-know-you exercises and a set of agreements all the campers came up with – chief among them, to respect one another.

There were some general rules of thumb, too.

"We're all sisters in rock here, so I think we can agree not to kick or sass or put boogers on each other," she announced, in summation of the group's brainstorming session.

The camp culminates in a showcase performance Saturday night. The 45 campers will form about eight bands, which will perform at the showcase. There also will be a silent auction curated by Los Angeles punk rock legend Exene Cervenka, with relics from bands such as The Offspring and Reel Big Fish.

Each day, the girls spend three hours in music lessons and workshops. Workshops cover music topics but also lessons in empowerment. One teaches girls self-defense. Another workshop is on media literacy, in which girls deconstruct advertisements for how much they degrade or disrespect women. At lunch, while they eat, a local band performs for them.

Costa Mesa resident Isel Romero, 14, heard about the camp through a self-defense class she attended. The idea of performing in a band after just one week appealed to her, but it was the promise of an out-of-the-ordinary summer camp that really made her want to come, she said.

"I'm going into high school this year and wanted something to look forward to over the summer," the vocalist said. "So I came here to see what I could accomplish in music and also to meet friends from other cities and have some new experiences."

Angela LaBounty, 47, a volunteer and parent to a camper, grew up in Huntington Beach idolizing the punk rock musicians emerging from the area during her teenage years. But all of those musicians were men. She wants her daughter to grow up in a music culture where women can take the lead, she said.

Drum, bass, vocal, keyboard and guitar lessons are taught by 10 volunteer instructors. Campers previously provide their top three choices for what they want to learn or play during the week and find out the first day of camp which one each gets. Some have music experience, but others are taking the opportunity to learn for the first time. Since the camp tuition adjusts to all income levels, pricey music lessons are not a prerequisite.

In the afternoon, bands formed on the first day get together and work on a song. Like any camp, and like any collaboration of artists, there's bound to be some personality clashes. It typically happens midweek; Hansen calls it "The Wednesday Meltdown." The girls may disagree on a particular note, a lyric in their song or the general vision of the band. They're encouraged to voice these concerns, even if it leads to conflict.

Related Links

Bird LaBounty, 7, bangs her drums during the opening session of Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, a camp in Fountain Valley for girls, which teaches them how to play rock and roll music. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teacher Maria Morris demonstrates to Avril Martinez a drum drill during the opening day of Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, a camp in Fountain Valley for girls, which teaches them how to play rock and roll music. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Candace Hansen, 27, of Huntington Beach founded The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls Orange County to empower women by teaching them to play a musical instrument. The camp is a non-profit that is run by local female musicians throughout Orange County. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Candace Hansen, 27, founder of The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, gives a drum lesson to former camp attendee, Robin Rose, 49, an aerospace engineer from Anaheim. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Candace Hansen shows the inclusive and supportive message that is just as much about the camp as the music is. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Robin Rose, 49, an aerospace engineer from Anaheim high-fives Candace Hansen, 27, the found of The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls Orange County after completing a drum lesson. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Maria Morris, center, leads the drum class at the opening day of Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, a camp in Fountain Valley for girls, which teaches them how to play rock and roll music. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Avril Martinez has ear plugs properly placed before the start of the drum session at the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bird LaBounty, 7, feels the beat during the opening session of Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, a camp in Fountain Valley for girls, which teaches them how to play rock and roll music. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
One of the bass guitar students brought a friend along to the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls Orange County, a camp in Fountain Valley for girls, which teaches them how to play rock and roll music. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
“I came to camp for two reasons. Number one, because I thought it would be fun to learn something new. Number two, because my best friend Sophia is here and she's a great singer. One day we can be in a band together.” Abigayle Willoughby, 10, Orange, vocals LAUREN STEUSSY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
“My dad was a drummer, and he inspired me to come to camp. I wanted to come and make my mom and dad and brother proud of me at the showcase.” – Bird LaBounty, 7, Huntington Beach, drums LAUREN STEUSSY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
“The camp makes it so that girls can experience doing something on their own; make a song on their own and then perform it.” Citlalli Martinez, 11, South Gate, guitar ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, LAUREN STEUSSY
“Here, everyone's appreciated for who they are. When I go on Facebook, I see teenage girls trying to look like supermodels.” Isel Romero, 14, Costa Mesa, vocals LAUREN STEUSSY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
“I was playing sports for a while but I lost interest. I lost interest in everything else except for music. I want to play in a band but I don't want to play any of those slow love songs.” Katie Gilliam, 12, Newport Beach, guitar. LAUREN STEUSSY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
“Some girls don't think they can play instruments and some girls can't because they can't afford it.” Xochitl Martinez, 9, South Gate, keyboards LAUREN STEUSSY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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